Encoding orbital angular momentum onto multiple spin states based on a Huffman tree

Abstract

Based on single-photon spin-orbit entanglement, we propose in this paper an experimental scheme to sort orbital angular momentum (OAM) by cascading conventional polarizing beam splitters. An economical algorithm, taking advantage of the pair's complementary notation of OAM numbers, is designed to separate a mixture of definite OAM. Our scheme provides an alternative technique to encode OAM onto multiple spin states based on a Huffman tree and its potential in optical communication is demonstrated. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.